Monthly Archives: August 2016

As I was putting Vetta Masterson’s journal back in its place yesterday,  I stopped to look through a scrapbook that’s part of the Masterson collection. I’d seen these particular pictures before but this time I was in the right frame … Continue reading →

In yet another sign that I may have been here too long, after I wrote yesterday about the freshmen arriving in the rain I had this thought: “Hmmm, didn’t it rain when they were first moving into the new colleges?” … Continue reading →

The freshmen arrived this year on a rainy day, dampened but undaunted. Here’s a lovely piece by Rice’s videographer, Brandon Martin, that captures all the nervous excitement of the moment. I was especially touched to see Franz Brotzen-Smith, the grandson … Continue reading →

It’s another travel day for me today so this will be a quickie. Here’s an image of President Lovett standing in the Sallyport on the day of the 1930 commencement garden party. It’s a great one, and rare. I believe … Continue reading →

But some of them are! This was on the front page of the December 5, 1924 issue of the Thresher: I read this with a great deal of interest. I’ve wondered for years what will be the most arcane and … Continue reading →

I’m on the road today and nothing went wrong! In celebration, I give you this happy moment: Bonus: Lots of new equipment has appeared recently. And the sad but photogenic castoffs:

For reasons too strange to go into here my attention was recently drawn to the history of fencing at Rice. Over time its popularity here has waxed and waned but it seems that once it arrived in 1924 there was … Continue reading →

Somewhere in Lovett College, 1995. Which was 21 years ago if you’ve lost count. Bonus: I never thought I’d say this but I just went over and bought a bunch of football season tickets. I got hooked by my experience … Continue reading →

A loyal reader who lived in Brown College a couple of years ago very kindly sent the Woodson some interesting documents. We’re extremely grateful but will be occupied for quite some time trying to unravel all the intricacies of this … Continue reading →

A: Not as smart as I’d like to think.. The other day I came across a folder in Dr. Lovett’s papers that I’d seen before but never roused myself to look in. For whatever reason this time the title struck … Continue reading →